Winter Storms Are Coming: Spring Nowhere to Be Found

By Victoria Robertson on March 13, 2017

Spring may be just around the corner, but the weather doesn’t seem to be interested in cooperating. At least, not for those in the Northern United States.

This will be no surprise to those living in the Chicago, New York, or Boston areas, as already bad weather has created heavy delays and many car accidents and outages. As a word of warning, those of you that are able to stay home — do it. It’s worth it.

pexels.com

Early this week, many areas across the country can expect hard hitting snowstorms, though the Northeast is where the most damage will be done.

According to the weather channel, the heaviest snow is going to fall tonight through tomorrow (Monday through Tuesday).

They are expecting 1 to 4 inches of snow per hour during this time, for Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and possibly Washington D.C.

The weather channel suggests that the most snow will fall for the DC area between 1 and 3 a.m. Tuesday morning and then again from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. Tuesday morning. However, those going to class on these days should expect the bad weather throughout and plan accordingly, as there will still be moderate snowfall throughout the day/night as well.

For New York City, the worst of the storm is supposed to hit between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning. For Boston, the heavy snowfall is expected between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday — so Boston area students should be expecting a full day of heavy snow and should stay home if possible.

It’s also important to note that the blizzard conditions are likely to cause power outages as well as tree damage throughout the affected areas.

The wind speed is expected to be between 40 and 60 mph, which will create blizzard-like conditions and dangerous conditions for travel/commuting. The states are preparing for power line and tree damage, which could delay commutes even longer.

In total, The Weather Channel is expecting up to 18 inches (and possibly more) of snow in these areas and this would be the first snowstorm in March to see over a foot since 1960.

And Midwesterners, unfortunately, you aren’t out of the storm just yet.

Over the weekend, the Midwest caught some snowfall, as well as late last night and early this morning. Chicago saw a total of 2.2 inches of snow. This is the first time an inch of snow has stuck since Christmas.

So how can you prepare?

For those of you that still have class over the next few days, bundle up. The wind gusts are going to dry out your skin, so staying covered to the best of your abilities is always a good idea. If possible, wear a scarf over your nose to avoid contact with the high winds.

Don’t drive — If you can walk to class, this is going to be your best bet. Road conditions won’t be safe, so if you can avoid being on the road, do it.

Plan ahead – If you don’t give yourself extra time before your classes begin, you’re going to be late. There will likely be slick conditions that will slow your pace if you’re walking, and if you’re driving, you have to account for the increased traffic due to the weather conditions.

It’s better to be safe than sorry, so leave as early as you can to get to your classes with plenty of time to spare.

Stay warm – Pack yourself a coffee or a hot chocolate if you can, and definitely dress in layers. Just because you’re inside doesn’t mean it won’t be cold, so be sure that you’re fully prepared and dressed for the colder temperatures.

Watch for traffic – For many students walking to class, you assume you have the right-of-way and look without paying too much mind to the traffic around you. For your own safety, and for the safety of those driving to class, pay attention. These conditions will make it harder for drivers to see you, so be on the lookout for them as much as possible to avoid any collisions.

For those of you that are driving – Be sure that you have a safety kit, blanket, and other supplies in your car just in case the weather causes any accidents or you’re stranded on the side of the road. Again, better safe than sorry.

While we’re all far too ready for spring to save us from this terrible weather, we still have to make it through this cold, blizzardy week, so be prepared for the bad weather as much as you’re able to.

So stay safe out there and bundle up! It’s going to be a cold week, but at least we’re all in this together!

Misery loves company, right?

Hurry up spring. You really can’t come soon enough.

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format